The Secret Obsession of the CEO
Chapter 34: Home Sweet Home(1)

Chapter 34: Home Sweet Home(1)

Liam let out a sigh seeing his father’s truck leave. When she brought up the divorce, he was terrified. He wondered how he could get out of that bind, but thankfully his father came at the right time saving him.

Maybe I should return...

But then he remembered the news he saw at the airport. He cannot return there now. It is not safe there. He will have to stay here for some days.

He saw Rory’s luggage in the middle of the road. Her phone is still with him. His father would take her to his home. His lips curved up.

Now he has a reason to go to his parent’s home!

He got down and picked up Rory’s luggage and waited in his car for a while. He didn’t want to ruin the welcome party his family will throw for Rory by being there. Whenever he is home, everyone will go silent fearing him. It would be better if he stays here.

But what if she...

His heart started to pound and he stepped on the gas.

-----

Frank’s truck parked in front of the house after passing through the big garden in the front of the house. Rather than a house, it can be called a mansion. It was built in the late nineteenth century. This house was owned by the Roberts family for generations and it has a history.

History usually means the stories of "ghosts" dwelling there. Especially a little girl named Gerta who died of pneumonia in the early twentieth century. Rumors are that she still haunts the attic where she was kept in isolation for a large part of her short life.

Another rumor was that one of the Roberts who lived there almost a century ago had mental illness and there are rumors in the town that Samuel Roberts was a serial killer. Rory used to get scared of the terrifying details as told by the townsfolk that Samuel had buried the skulls of the people he decapitated in the woods behind the house.

But the Roberts family assured Rory that those rumors are just rumors and she never saw any ghosts there. So she was not scared to be there. This house is filled with a lot of her happy memories.

She loves this house!

Although there are a lot of people living in that house, that house still would feel empty. It has sixteen bedrooms and could very well be used as an inn rather than as a residential house. But the Roberts family loves this house as it is where their forefathers lived.

The house is now owned by Liam’s grandmother after his grandfather’s death. The next line of inheritance is still not made clear, but since Liam’s father is living here for a long period, it is expected that he will inherit this house next.

Grandma Roberts along with Liam’s father, his wife, and their son are currently living in this big house.

Rory’s heart jumped with excitement as she alighted from the car. Moths were dancing around the light on the porch and the flytrap was already filled with many insects. Even when the doors are closed, she smelled pot roast. The house’s doorbell—Spikes, the beagle—started barking to inform the whole house of the arrival of the truck.

The nostalgia...

Rory almost forgot that she is divorced. She once again turned to the little girl who would enter this home whenever she pleases to meet Liam.

Her eyes ended up behind her. Through the thick rows of trees, she couldn’t see the road far away. But as far as she can see it didn’t appear that Liam is coming. She pouted.

"Did you forget something, babe?" the concerned voice of a woman came through the crack in the door. "Enough, Spikes!" she said still not looking out. She then peeked out, "Babe, why are you back this ear~"

Claire Roberts—wife of Frank Roberts almost dropped the bowl she was holding seeing Rory and the baby.

"Rory!" she screamed and threw the bowl inside. Rory wondered where that bowl ended up at. But Claire didn’t mind the bowl and ran at Rory wiping her hands on her apron.

"What a surprise!" she hugged Rory and kissed her cheeks. "Come on, don’t just stand here. Get in! Why didn’t you call? Frank, how did you see her?" she asked without expecting answers.

Her eyes were on Ellie and she got the baby from Rory’s hand. "Oh, look how cute she is! Oh my! How adorable!" she cooed and walked inside the house.

"Mom! Look who’s here!" Claire shouted and walked to the kitchen holding Ellie.

Rory followed her with a smile. Spikes barked and circled her feet wagging his tail. Rory saw the bowl of dressing ignored on the couch. Her eyes ended up at Liam’s crib in the corner of the living room and her lips curved up.

Did they bring it down from the attic for Ellie?

When Clair was pregnant with Liam’s little brother, his father brought the crib from the attic. But Liam threw a fit so great, that he had to store it back in the attic. Liam didn’t like his half-sibling using his crib. His father thought that Liam would change his mind later. But Liam didn’t and they had to buy another crib for Liam’s little brother.

"Where’s Chubster?" she asked. Chubster is the nickname for Liam’s brother.

"He went on a sleepover with his friend," Clair answered.

"Rory! You’re here!"

Dorothy Robert’s loud voice turned Rory’s attention towards her. She saw the old lady walking toward her with a bright smile. She had hip replacement surgery recently and Rory was glad that she looks fine.

"Grandma!" Rory ran and hugged the old lady who smelled like pie. She loved this old lady for that. She always smells like snacks. "Mwah!" she kissed the old lady and sucked in a deep breath.

Ah! Apple pie... my favorite!

Dorothy then went to Clair to hold Ellie. "The first female heir of the family..." she kissed Ellie. Ellie with her stubby hands hugged the old lady making Dorothy go all mushy.

Rory let out a deep breath. Dorothy is saying this ever since she saw Ellie after her birth. She didn’t understand how grandma Roberts is ignoring Uncle Lenny’s daughter altogether. No one in the family corrects her either. She tried once or twice. But she was ignored and she stopped trying.

Spike started his bout of barking once again.

Rory’s lips curved up to a smile seeing the headlights of a car through the window. She didn’t fail to notice the small smile hanging on Frank’s face seeing the car. He opened the door and walked away. But his smile disappeared in an instant looking at Claire. Rory saw perspiration on his forehead.

Ah, he’s worried!

"Who’s that?" grandma Roberts asked.

"It’s Liam, Grandma," Rory answered with a playful smile.

"He’s here?" Dorothy’s face brightened.

As she was talking, she noticed Frank walking toward Claire. He patted her back and with a nod, Claire darted to the stairs to her room.

Rory could only sigh.